Acme Labs

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Acme Labs (alternatively styled as ACME Labs) is the home of Pinky and the Brain most of the time. It is part of the Acme company that makes most of the products in the WB cartoon world. Presumably, this is an "experimental products" portion of Acme, due to the different experiments and devices that are housed at the lab (as well as Brain's affinity for crazy weapons with far-out names). The laboratory is where Brain concocts many of his different plans for world domination. In addition to its standard location, many sister locations and identical laboratories have been shown to exist in various territories around the world.

Description

Another look at the lab's original design. (from "Project B.R.A.I.N.")

Acme Labs is a laboratory division of Acme, that has kept at least multiple creatures such as mice, hamsters and cats for testing. A certain J. Frederick Acme is apparently the proprietor of the laboratory. The lab is operated by a staff of human scientists, whom research such things as the cure for hay fever (which works until Brain fires his extremely concentrated dose of pollen at the researcher). They also have items/inventions as:

• The Acme Gene Splicer, Bagel Warmer, and Hot Dog Steamer. This gave characters such as Pinky, Brain, Snowball and Precious intelligence (the term "intelligence" is used very loosely in regards to Pinky)
  • A smaller gene-splicer used on Billie. ("The World Can Wait")
• A machine that can swap a mouse between Pinky-reminiscent levels of intelligence and to levels of pure genius that not even Brain can match. ("That Smarts")
• A personal computer
• A laptop
• Reverse Geotropic Arrester ("Jockey for Position")
• Mouse-Friendly Keyboard Hands (Debuts in "A Pinky and the Brain Christmas")
• Adjustable recording devices ("Battle for the Planet")
• A maze ("The Maze")
• A few CRT TV sets ("TV or Not TV")
• Brain's different human suits ("Win Big", "Of Mouse And Man")
• A film projector (Debuts in "Welcome to the Jungle")
• The Vacuum-O-Nater. A makeshift vacuum device ("Pavlov's Mice")
• A cannon ("Jockey for Position")
• A tank made out of cheese ("Where Rodents Dare")
• The Super-Conductive Magnetic Infindibulator. This device modulates gravitational forces to modify the Earth's magnetic forces to be able to steal all metal objects/ ("Win Big")
• The Catalystic Immobilizer, which is shot out of a test tube that spreads like a gas and freezes anyone who makes contact with it for 24 hours. It is a white snow-like substance that could be made-up of near-liquid nitrogen combined with antifreeze. ("Where Rodents Dare")
• The Smallilizer, liquid which shrinks material down. ("The Helpinki Formula")

The lab scientists presumably let their test subjects out, due to Brain attempting to perfect his machines over daytime (since the mice put their plans into fruition mostly at night) without the supervisors ever caring. Very rarely do they try to contain their animals, such as in "Mouse of La Mancha." Their apparent lack of action becomes more evident later on in the spin-off's run where the scientists are portrayed as increasingly careless and clumsy. Their carelessness was carried into the Animaniacs reboot, where they paid no attention to Brain infiltrating the lab during their wild and crazy Christmas party.

The laboratory is often seen in an urban neighborhood, surrounded by neighbors such as Mr. Sultana and Mr. Carlisle (who had apparently "exploded" at one point).

History

The mice inside the lab.

Pinky and the Brain have been shown to live in the lab throughout their entire lives. Other residents of the lab have included Billie, Snowball, Romy, Jerry the Genetically-Altered Gerbil, Precious, Julia, Egwind, Zeppo... and Larry. Various other rodents are shown to be kept at the lab as well. Many scientists have been employed at the lab, including Dr. Mordough. The lab also apparently breaks for summer vacation.

In the Halloween episode of the spin-off, Brain becomes the world's leader by magic, and the lab is changed into "Acme Castle" to accommodate him. In the end, Brain gives up the ownership of the world, and the lab becomes normal once more.

During the events of the Brainwashed saga, the lab was briefly destroyed after the mice accidentally set-off the self-destruct sequence while trying to find the identity of the elusive "Pseudo-Nym." At the end of the saga's final part, Brain uses newly-appointed chief-of-staff Bobby Bob Yokel to arrange for the lab to be repaired. The lab then is renovated and given a sleeker, more modern appearance; labeled as "NEW" ACME Labs.

ACME Labs would later return in the Animaniacs reboot, serving once more as the mice's home. It was shown to have been gradually remodeled once more over the past 22 years during Brain's plan to create the modern internet.

Locations

Per "Opportunity Knox," ACME maintains a lab in Northern Kentucky, as it is stated that it is a short drive from it to Fort Knox. The location of the US lab varies throughout the series, usually being kept unnamed. The two most consistent states with locations are Los Angeles, California and New York City, New York. This would imply that ACME may have locations in multiple states that the mice are moving between.

Some prominent episodes featuring a lab located in California include "TV or Not TV," "Brain Noir," "But That's Not All, Folks!," "The Family That Poits Together, Narfs Together," "Brain Food," "What Ever Happened to Baby Brain," and "The Pinky and the Brain Reunion Special." Additionally, the VHS compilation You WILL Buy This Video! features a faux-informercial listing Brain's address as "ACME Labs, Cage 5, Burbank, California." In regards to New York, some prominent episodes featuring an NY-based lab include "Pinky and the Fog," "Snowball," "My Feldmans, My Friends," and "Broadway Malady."

There are a few instances where the mice have had to fly out to California and New York. In "Brain's Song," they flew out to Hollywood while scouting talent. Later, in "The Family That Poits Together, Narfs Together," they fly from California to NYC for the taping of On the Air with Squeege and Kathie Glee.

However, the exact amount of active locations ACME has seems to vary on the episode, sometimes showing only one lab is active. For instance, Brain is left homeless after ACME Labs is shut down in "Snowball," with no indications of other active labs (he ends up using the money from his failed chain-letter scheme to renovate and re-open it). Additionally, following the lab's destruction in the Brainwashed saga, the mice seemingly make no attempt in relocating to another lab (instead Brain arranges for the lab to be repaired). This implies if there were multiple US locations of ACME Labs, most of them could have closed down save for one.

In the Animaniacs reboot, the lab's location is shown to be more consistent, with only a few deviations (such as the time period each episode is set in). "Of Mice and Memes" shows that the lab is within walking distance from the studio of Late Night with Seth Meyers (which typically films in NYC at NBC Studios in real-life, though nothing in the episode indicates that it is set in NYC). However, "Close Encounters of the Worst Kind" gives the address as 11234 Slumvillage Pass, Burfork, CA 221134.

Appearance

Animaniacs (1993) and Pinky and the Brain (1995)

The lab is easily recognizable by its prominent sign, its brown doors, and its large amount of outside equipment. There is also a suspension bridge nearby. These are the constant features found with the standard design of the laboratory.

Known Variations

The standard design of ACME Labs has taken on slightly different appearances throughout the original Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain, most likely the result of different artists' own interpretations of the building's design. Much of these variations can be seen in "Where Rodents Dare."

Exhibits A and G are probably the most commonly-seen Acme Labs in operation. The most obvious difference is the windows; Every other exhibit shows 3x5 windows; this picture shows 4x4 panes, thus giving us one extra pane. However, one can also note 4 more differences between this one and the 4 other pictures;

1. The suspension bridge is curved more outwards from the lab, because we can see less of the suspension poles.
2. This is the picture where the surrounding buildings to the left are the shortest.
3. The door is built differently; Unlike Exhibits C, D and E, the brown door is built quite low and there is something above the door, with a light shining on the bottom face.
4. The words "Acme Labs" are more pronounced in their thickness and different fonts than the rest of the pictures.

The fence is also built differently from Exhibit B, and unlike Exhibit B, the word Acme is in light green.

• In Exhibit B, the door is built even lower, and the light seems bigger. It is harder to note a path from outside the fence to the door, than the other pictures.
• In Exhibit C, D and E, the Acme Labs' sign is now a dark, unyielding red. The door is now built higher, with golden bars to push the doors.
• In Exhibit D, there is now a mailbox, the sign became even darker, and the yellow things on the door are gone.
• Exhibit E is the same as Exhibit C, but shows what the sign looks like when it glows red.
• Exhibit F is the same as Exhibit B, but the sign’s letters have a different font.
• Exhibit G is the same as the other exhibits, but the sign’s letters have a different font.
• Exhibit H is the same as the other exhibits, but the sign’s letters have a different font and are bold.
• Exhibit I is the same as Exhibit H, but the sign’s letters have a different font and are small.
• Exhibit J is the same as Exhibit A, but the sign’s letters are lopsided.
• Exhibit K is the same as the other exhibits, but the lab's color has a purple-tinged color instead of blue.
• Exhibit L is the same as Exhibit B, but the lab's color is dark purple and the letters are dull-yellow.
• Exhibit M is the same as Exhibit L, but the lab's color is purple, the letters are orange and the door is much brown.
• Exhibit N is the same as Exhibits B and G, but the lab's color is dark blue, the letters are lime colored and the door is in a lower position.
• Exhibit O is the same as the other exhibits, but the lab's color is dark cyan, the letters are yellow, but the "c" is lopsided.
• Exhibit P is the same as Exhibits J and K, but the lab's color is dark pink, the word Acme is in light green and the word Labs is in yellow.
• Exhibit Q is the same as Exhibits B, but the lab's color is in blue, the color on the letters are the same but darker and the door is in a higher position.
• Exhibit R is the same as Exhibits P and K, but the lab's color is a purple-pink tinged color.
• Exhibit S is the same as Exhibits Q and F, but the lab's color is dark purple, the letters are lime colored and the door is in a lower position.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

Exhibit D

Exhibit E

Exhibit F

Exhibit G

Exhibit H

Exhibit I

Exhibit J

Exhibit K

Exhibit L

Exhibit M

Exhibit N

Exhibit O

Exhibit P

Exhibit Q

Exhibit R

Exhibit S

Episodes of where these exhibits are from:

• Exhibits A and B are from the Pinky and the Brain Theme Song (1995-1998)
• Exhibits C and E are from "Where Rodents Dare".
• Exhibit F is from "Pinky and the Brainmaker" and "Dangerous Brains".
• Exhibit G is from "A Legendary Tail", "Hoop Schemes" and "Pinky Suavo".
• Exhibit H is from "Mouse of La Mancha".
• Exhibit I is from "The Maze".
• Exhibit J is from "Calvin Brain".
• Exhibit K is from "You'll Never Eat Food Pellets In This Town Again".
• Exhibit L is from "The World Can Wait".
• Exhibit M is from "Meet John Brain".
• Exhibit N is from "Pinkasso".
• Exhibit O is from "Leave it to Beavers".
• Exhibit P is from "A Pinky and the Brain Halloween" and "Hickory Dickory Bonk".
• Exhibit Q is from "Pinky and the Brain... And Larry".
• Exhibit R is from "T.H.E.Y".
• Exhibit S is from "Say What, Earth".

Other Labs and Designs

In addition to the different interpretations of the standard Acme Labs design, the structure has taken on slight redesigns and has similar-looking sister locations. There are also identical structures from other organizations.

Pinky and the Brain

Name	Image	Episode	Episode Number	Description
ACMESHITO Labs	Tokyo's ACMESHITO Labs in the year 1956. Tokyo's ACMESHITO Labs in the year 1956. ACMESHITO Labs being rebuilt at the end of the segment. 1/3	Tokyo Grows	3	The mice operate out of ACMESHITO Labs in 1956 Tokyo. It is mostly identical to its American counterpart, but with a different sign and additional Japanese architect fixtures. The lab is briefly destroyed when Pinky and Brain become enlarged, and is seen repaired at the end of the cartoon.
Frunobulax Lab	Frunobulaxian Lab	"Where No Mouse Has Gone Before"	3	A similar lab is seen on the planet Frunobulax. It is nearly identical to its Earth counterpart, with a cyan paint-job and a sign written in the Frunobulaxian language. The aliens operate out of the lab to study the mice.
Ruined Lab	Abandoned ACME Labs in ruins.	"Snowball"	9	The lab is abandoned and left to decay after Snowball buys the lab and takes over the world. At the end of the episode, Brain restores the lab using stamp money from his prior plan.
Russian Lab #1	Laboratory in Russia	"Fly"	11	The mice wind-up in Russia and after being mistaken for aliens in a crashed shuttle. They are then taken to a heavily-fortified lab which looks identical to ACME Labs.
The Apothecary	Ye Old Apothecary.	"Robin Brain"	22	The mice operate out of an apothecary. It is nearly identical to its lab counterpart, with a white paint-job, and a sign that's connected to the apothecary, instead of 2 metal bars. It is inspired by African village houses.
3502 AD Lab	Acme Labs in the year 3502 AD.	"Brain of the Future"	23	A different version of the lab is shown in the year 3502 AD. It is much larger, rounder, and contains an even bigger neon "ACME LABS" with a more dynamic font. The original lab also appears to be intact next to the larger structure, with a flatter sign on top of it. Both structures are presumably destroyed with the rest of civilization following nuclear warfare between the U.S.A and Canada, which resulted from Canada declaring an attack on the U.S.A after mistaking the mice's time capsule for an American nuclear missile.
1946 Lab	1946 Lab.	"Brain Noir"	27	A more contemporary 1946 design pf the lab is used with a different sign.
New Delhi Lab	Location in New Delhi, India.	"All You Need is Narf"	31	The mice out of a lab in New Delhi, India during their plan to secure sandalroot. It looks identical to its American counterparts but with certain differences to translate it into the style of Indian architecture.
ACME Lounge	Acme Lounge in 1962.	"Brain's Way"	41	At the end of the episode, Acme Labs is sold to Bernice the loan-shark as collateral following the failure of the casino "Brain's Palace", and the decline of Brain's career as Brainatra. The lab is then turned into the "Acme Lounge," a contemporary 1962 night club, and Brainatra is stuck performing there nightly until his failing shows can make enough profit to buy-back the lab. While the original sign is kept, the "Labs" portion is obscured by an additional sign that says "Lounge."
ACME Castle	Acme Castle with a statue of Brain. Acme Castle with a statue of Snowball.	"A Pinky and the Brain Halloween"	42	When Pinky signs a contract selling his soul to Mr. Itch, the lab becomes the "Acme Castle" to serve as Brain's royal headquarters. A statue of Brain is then built in-front of it. Later, Snowball attempts to stop Brain's rule and take over the world for himself. He then builds a statue of himself in place of the Brain statue. Just when he finishes, the castle reverts to a laboratory due to the conditions of Pinky's contract to Mr. Itch not being met, and the statue disappears as well.
Edwardian-style Lab	Edwardian-era Acme Labs.	"Leggo My Ego"	44	An Edwardian-style Acme Labs is shown during Brain's warped flashbacks to his childhood. It is shown to look more primitive and prison-like with bars in the windows. The site is even guarded by a shady-looking guard and a guard-dog. The lab itself retains its huge yellow sign. Additionally, a large gate is also shown to be at the entrance of the site with an "ACME LABS TRAINING FACILITY" sign.
Aquatic Mammal Research Facility	Aquatic Mammal Training Facility.	"Operation Sea Lion"	46	The mice operate out of a variant of the lab called the "Aquatic Mammal Research Facility" in San Francisco, California. It looks identical to its usual appearance but is painted yellow with longer, orange windows. This lab specializes in oceanographic studies, and houses a pool for sea lions.
Depression-era Lab	Depression-era Acme Labs.	"What Ever Happened to Baby Brain"	57	A Depression-era Acme Labs. It is identical to its standard appearance, but lacks the neon sign. A smaller "ACME Chemists" sign appears above the door, naming "J. Frederick Acme" as the proprietor.
NEW ACME Labs	"NEW" Acme Labs.	Brainwashed Part 3 - "Wash Harder."	63	"New ACME Labs" makes its only appearance at the end of Brainwashed Part 3 - "Wash Harder." It has a sleeker, more modern appearance, with additional fixtures attached to the structure and extra floors. A giant "NEW" appears above the ACME Labs logo to further signify the changes done to the structure.
ACMENOV Labs	ACMENOV Labs in Moscow, Russia.	"To Russia With Lab Mice"	62	ACMENOV Labs is a sister location of ACME Labs located in Moscow, Russia. The lab appears to have similar experiments and projects as its American counterpart, including a toy-testing project. The building itself is shown to be identical to its American counterparts but has a different sign to reflect its name, modifications to translate into the style of Russian architecture, and is painted red.
ACME Star Destroyer	Imperial Star Destroyer. Bottom-view of the Imperial Star Destroyer, which has a WB shield.	"Star Warners"	65	A structure resembling Acme Labs can be seen atop an Imperial Star Destroyer. It is only seen from the back during the theme song and from the top at the end of the episode.

Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain

In the alternate continuity of Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain, the lab is destroyed (implied to have been arranged by Wally Faust). The mice are then forced to relocate to different locations before settling on the home of Elmyra Duff. After this, the lab is rebuilt and converted into a Disney Store parody called the Dissey Store.

Acme Labs after its destruction, as seen in the theme song.

The Dissey Store, as seen in "The Ravin!"

Animaniacs (2020)

In the reboot of Animaniacs, the events of Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain are ignored and ACME Labs returns. It is first seen in its original design (though a clock has been added) in the opening of "Of Mice and Memes", and then gradually changes during Brain's 22-year plan to create the modern internet. Other than the green tint to it, the ACME Labs sign is modernized and is more like contemporary-corporate branding, with fixtures such as a hexagon-shaped sign on the top of the building instead of big, flashing letters. There also appears to be a clock on the building and different-shaped/extra windows. The gate is also more detailed.

The original Acme Labs in 1998, as seen in "Of Mice and Memes."

A nighttime look at the 2020 Acme Labs Renovation.

Another evening look at the lab, as seen in "Of Mice and Memes."

A daytime look at the 2020 Acme Labs Renovation, as seen in "Fake Medicines."

Original Acme Labs in 1965, as seen in "Narf Over Troubled Water."

Trivia

• A painting of the lab can be seen with other abandoned set-pieces deep in the Warmer Bros. studio lot in "Hearts of Twilight."
• Acme Labs is mentioned in the gag credit for the Tiny Toons Night Ghoulery special - "The Brain Appears Courtesy of: Acme Labs" (Brain had a cameo the "Frankenmyra" segment).
• The reboot's design of the lab appears in the background of the WB Studio Lot stage in the 2024 fighting game MultiVersus. A full stage set inside the lab was also planned before the game's abrupt cancellation in 2025.
• In Wakko's Wish, a check made out to Wakko Warner has ACME Labs listed as his address.

ACME Labs' MultiVersus Appearence

The lab from a bird's eye view, as seen at the end of "But That's Not All, Folks!"